Cus a used GV just isn't good enough to spread the gospel!

[cdnpilot77]

(CNN)Creflo Dollar is hoping a few folks will see fit to bless him.

The minister, known for being a prosperity preacher at his Atlanta-area World Changers Church International, is seeking "200,000 people committed to sow $300 or more (to) help achieve our goal to purchase the G650 airplane."

The figures were presented Friday in a nearly six-minute video on the Creflo Dollar Ministries website (the video was not viewable Friday night) and total more than $60 million needed to buy the Gulfstream G650, which goes for a reported $65 million.

The project isn't limited to member donations, as the site states that "we are asking members, partners and supporters of this ministry to assist us in acquiring a Gulfstream G650."

The request goes on to detail that the luxury jet will transport Pastors Creflo and Taffi Dollar and member of the Dollars' church around the globe to help them spread the gospel.

Prosperity gospel is a theology that promises wealth and health to those who tithe 10% of their income to the church.

The video includes parishioners, a pilot, a project manager and even the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, advocating on behalf of the pastor.

On the video, the pastor chronicles incidents involving his current jet, which has been in service for more than three decades: The right engine went out en route to Australia, but the plane was able to safely land at its destination thanks to the experience of the pilot and crew. During another trip, mechanical failure caused the jet to skid off a runway in London while Taffi Dollar and their three daughters were aboard.

Dollar attributed his family's safe arrival to "a grace working on that airplane, that brought my girls back home to me, you understand what I am saying?" he said from the pulpit to thunderous applause.

Dollar said that after those incidents, he "knew that it was time to begin to believe God for a new airplane."

The Gulfstream G650 would comfortably allow the ministry make its way around the world. It seats up to 14 passengers with berthing for six, according to gulfstream.com. The jet comes with two Rolls-Royce engines, high-speed Internet and two multichannel satellites and allows for a 2½-hour commute from New York to Los Angeles.

"The G650 is the biggest, fastest, most luxurious, longest range and most technologically advanced jet -- by far," according to the site.

In soliciting the donations, Dollar's site states, "We need your help to continue reaching a lost and dying world for the Lord Jesus Christ. Your love gift of any amount will be greatly appreciated."

Attempts to contact Dollar's ministry for comment were unsuccessful.

[Rookie50]

It is regretful this is the kind of popular imagery that gains so much attention when it comes to those ministering in the name of Jesus.

As a Christian I can attest this prosperity theology is neither supportable nor representative of the many friends I personally know, serving in the name of Jesus to bring practical care and comfort to the poor and suffering of the world.

They include but are not limited to missionary pilot friends who give up their lives in Canada to serve flying people and medical aid in some rather nasty and dangerous places on the globe, for no money, fame or recognition. I've flown with a couple of them and I didn't even see glass cockpits on their well used Caravans. Too much money.

See how many jets are on this site:

http://maf.org

They also include folks I know running things like feeding programs, schools and medical clinics in the most wretched slums you can imagine. You will never hear of these people on TV or reported in the media.

I also know some pretty senior ministry leaders myself, who travel extensively to support overseas work. They fly commercial, in coach, FWIW, because they are careful stewards of their budgets.

Just presenting the "other side".

[digits_]

I am curious what call sign they would choose

[Bede]

+1 Rookie50.

Creflo Dollar is a huckster willing to carve out a very comfortable existing by preying on the vulnerable with promises of riches. Throw Benny Hinn in the mix as well.

[rxl]

+1 Rookie50

I can't help but think of all of the aid that could be provided to those with the greatest need by an organization like MAF with the funds required to purchase and operate an airplane like a G650.

[Old fella]

Well I am an atheist , non follower/believer in any of them. Having said that, there are many of faith who do lend themselves to what they believe is the betterment of all. A commendable attribute to be sure and I never mock those of faith with the exception of "con artists,shysters lowlife" like this fast mover pastor looking for a new Gulfstream.

It gives dedicated people of faith a very bad name IMHO

[Rookie50]

Well I am an atheist , non follower/believer in any of them. Having said that, there are many of faith who do lend themselves to what they believe is the betterment of all. A commendable attribute to be sure and I never mock those of faith with the exception of "con artists,shysters lowlife" like this fast mover pastor looking for a new Gulfstream.

It gives dedicated people of faith a very bad name IMHO

Old Fella,

It does but that is what attracts the media's attention --

Those who work with starving orphans and refugees - they do exist --, I've seen them in person -- pastors working with the young people right here in northern communities to hopefully reduce suicides -- those who bring hope to hopeless lives will never attract positive media attention.

It doesn't sell like the linked story, but there are some good people out there.

[awitzke]

.....

[Old fella]

Well I am an atheist , non follower/believer in any of them. Having said that, there are many of faith who do lend themselves to what they believe is the betterment of all. A commendable attribute to be sure and I never mock those of faith with the exception of "con artists,shysters lowlife" like this fast mover pastor looking for a new Gulfstream.

It gives dedicated people of faith a very bad name IMHO

Old Fella,

It does but that is what attracts the media's attention --

Those who work with starving orphans and refugees - they do exist --, I've seen them in person -- pastors working with the young people right here in northern communities to hopefully reduce suicides -- those who bring hope to hopeless lives will never attract positive media attention.

It doesn't sell like the linked story, but there are some good people out there.

Agreed. Good people everywhere, many have attributes that you mentioned, contribute immensely in their own ways and do it happily without guidance through a lens of religion. I know such people and they have my admiration. You can be good without a God( I am), but respect those whose foundation is their faith in a particular higher "calling". The particular topic at hand should attract media attention- and I am glad it does, for what it is, lining ones pockets in the name of an "almighty", the same one that is your calling.

Amen bro - I am cursing up a blue streak because of the 20-30cm of f----ing snow on the way here tomorrow.

[P180]

Just think what 65 million could do for home less people in the U.S and Canada @#$! you pastor and anyone else that gives money to this asshole..

[Cat Driver]

I don't see any real problem with his asking for money to buy a new jet.

At least the people who give the money know what he is going to do with it.

[Shiny Side Up]

I don't see any real problem with his asking for money to buy a new jet.

At least the people who give the money know what he is going to do with it.

Indeed. Its way more upsetting to think that there's a large amount of people who will give up their money so easily. It really does make one weep for the species.

[Cat Driver]

I became a man of faith when I found out how to get 72 virgins.

[GyvAir]

It's all about keeping up with the Crouches?



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... twork.html

There must be an unimaginable supply of people out there, unable to understand what they are contributing to with their donations to these organizations:

http://www.inplainsite.org/html/tele-ev ... ele-Dollar

[Shiny Side Up]

I became a man of faith when I found out how to get 72 virgins.

You mean you also put out an ad looking for flight instructors?

[Cat Driver]

You mean you also put out an ad looking for flight instructors?

No, my faith is not that strong.

I like the idea of following Allah and going to paradise and getting 72 virgins, and I don't have to pay 10% of my gross earnings to get there, and them.

[North Shore]

On the video, the pastor chronicles incidents involving his current jet, which has been in service for more than three decades: The right engine went out en route to Australia, but the plane was able to safely land at its destination thanks to the experience of the pilot and crew. During another trip, mechanical failure caused the jet to skid off a runway in London while Taffi Dollar and their three daughters were aboard.

Dollar attributed his family's safe arrival to "a grace working on that airplane, that brought my girls back home to me, you understand

Maybe that was all his god telling him that he should fly commercially

Millionaire preacher/hucksters are the f@&$ers who give Christianity a bad name..

[Rookie50]

You mean you also put out an ad looking for flight instructors?

No, my faith is not that strong.

I like the idea of following Allah and going to paradise and getting 72 virgins, and I don't have to pay 10% of my gross earnings to get there, and them.

There are a lot of misconceptions. My faith does not require me to contribute 10% of anything as a payment for God's acceptance. I am involved in supporting some of the types of projects I reference above, and doing some volunteer flying for Hope Air. (medical patients)

No one has ever told me or compelled me to do this. However, speaking purely for myself, my relationship with God motivates me to get involved in helping those in great need as I am able.

However, even those looking at me or my serving friends -- and evaluating Christianity on that basis would be let down, because we are far from perfect -- certainly I'm not -- simply because people are imperfect beings.

[CID]

You don’t need to be affiliated with religion to be a philanthropist or even charitable. The vast majority of these people who use religion as a base for charity are charlatans and the rest are really on a "mission" to spread the word. It's amazing to me that this still goes on.

[cgzro]

I dont find this objectionable, he is being totally honnest about what he wants. It is sad that people fall for it but that he can take money honnestly cant really be complained about.

What I do find objectionable are people who tour the world in private jets or in first class from one luxuty home to another while telling the rest of us we have to cut back on our consumption or the world will end.

[digits_]

You don’t need to be affiliated with religion to be a philanthropist or even charitable. The vast majority of these people who use religion as a base for charity are charlatans and the rest are really on a "mission" to spread the word. It's amazing to me that this still goes on.

+1

[cdnpilot77]

What I do find objectionable are people who tour the world in private jets or in first class from one luxuty home to another while telling the rest of us we have to cut back on our consumption or the world will end.

Funny I read something the other day, but can't find the link, that said Switzerland was expecting something like 1700 private jets for a 7 day international climate change conference.

[ScudRunner]

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 5&t=100154

You guys c'mon what else is a brother suppose to do he broke his G III last November



Anyone want to pitch in to buy .. a Learjet, I will be reasonable though perhaps just a Lear 55 I come typed and more room than a 35 we could grab one for under a mill.

Go with Pasta my friends RAMEN for all !

[cgzro]

Funny I read something the other day....

Yes, Davos Switzerland, expecting 1700 private jets and a large volume of helicopter flights from Zurich to a climate change conference.

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mike-ciand ... 00-private

"All animals are equal ....Except pigs" ....Animal Farm... I never understood as a kid why they made us read that book , pretty obvious now.. I wonder if its still on the curriculum in high schools?

[Siddley Hawker]

Millionaire preacher/hucksters are the f@&$ers who give Christianity a bad name..

Millionaire preacher hucksters give hucksters a bad name.

For those fans of Lewis Black, I suggest his book Me Of Little Faith. Nobody can rant as well as Black and he's at his finest when discussing televangelists.